On the prediction of blasting toxic fumes and dilution ventilation

Toxic fumes from blasting operations in underground mines are among the most common and serious hazards encountered underground. In general, blasting operations in most mines result in up to several thousand tons of broken rock and large volumes of toxic fumes. The implications of the high concentration of toxic gases emitted from blasting on the mine ventilation system are very significant an in many cases have had catastrophic results. When analyzing and designing the primary and auxiliary ventilation system for an underground operation, the dilution requirements for explosive agent gases have to be taken into consideration. In an operating mine dilution ventilation is one of the most effective control measures against blasting fumes and blasting fume dilution times after blasting must be calculated. This requires accurate determination of the concentration of toxic gases produced by the explosives used. This paper describes the development of an effective model for predicting toxic fumes from commercial explosives and for determining the ventilation requirements to reduce the gas concentrations to the limits required by law. Extensive experimental testing, computer coding and field verification were the tools used for the successful development of the proposed model.

This model represents a powerful tool for use in identifying and predicting problems associated with toxic gases underground so that corrective measures can be taken, and constitutes an important tool for the mine engineer to ensure that safe and satisfactory environmental conditions are maintained underground.